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SERMON, 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE    ' 

GENERAL  CONVENTION 

OF  THE 

PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

IN  THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

IN  ST.  MICHAEL'S  CHURCH,  TRENTON,  NEW-JERSEY,  ON  FRIDAY, 
SEPTEMBER  11,  1801, 

ON  THE 

OCCASION  OF  THE  MEETING  OF  THE  SAID  CONVENTION, 

AND  OF  THE 

CONSECRATION 

OF   THE 

RIGHT  REVEREND  BISHOP  MOORE, 

OF    NEW-YORK. 


BY  THE  RIGHT  REVEREND 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  D.D. 

Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 


N  E  W-Y  O  R  K : 

Printed  by  T.  i3  J.  SWORDS,  No.  99  Peail-strcct, 

1801. 


Extract  from  the  Journals  of  the  General  CoxvcNTiaN. 
House  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies, 

Friday,  Sept.  1 1,  i8oi,  P.  M. 

"  On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  House  be  presented 
to  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  for  his  Sermon,  delivered  this  day, 
at  the  consecration  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Moore,  and  that  he  be  requested 
to  furnish  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication." 

In  consequence  of  the  foregoing  resolve,  the  original  copy  of  the  Ser- 
mon was  delivered  to  a  committee  in  New-York,  by  whom  it  is  pub- 
lished. 


A  SERMON,  &c. 


St.  JOHN  iv.  35. 

Say  not  ye^  There  are  yet  four  months,  and  then  comet h 
Rankest  ?  Behold,  I  say  unto  you.  Lift  up  your  eyes, 
and  look  on  the  fields;  for  they  are  xvhite  already  to 
harvest. 

JL  O  understand  these  words  we  must  have  regard  to  the 
occasion,  to  the  time,  to  the  proverb  quoted,  and  to  the 
contrast  drawn. 

The  occasion  was  our  Saviour's  having  held  discourse 
with  the  inhabitants  of  a  Samaritan  village :  and  as  this  was 
his  first  opportunity  of  addressing  persons  who  were  in  the 
darkness  of  heathen  error,  it  brought  to  his  mind  the  splen- 
did property  of  his  mission,  that  he  should  be  "  a  light  to 
"  enlighten  the  gentiles,  and  for  salvation  unto  the  ends  of 
**  the  earth." 

The  time  was  the  seeding  season  of  Judea,  as  appears 
from  the  term  specified — "  four  months;"  that  being  com- 
monly the  interval  between  the  seeding  season  and  the 
harvest. 

The  expression — "  say  ye  not"  that  this  is  so,  refers  to 
what  we  are  told  of  its  having  been  a  proverb  among  tlie 
Jews:  and  the  ground  of  the  proverb  is  in  the  satisfaction 
with  which  the  husbandman,  having  lodged  his  seed  within 
the  soil,  anticipates  a  joyful  increase. 

But  between  this  case  and  tlie  matter  intended,  there  is  a 
contrast  drawn:  for  the  husbandman,  after  all  his  labour, 
had  many  a  fear  to  undergo,  from  chilling  winds,  from 
parching  heats,  and  from  drenching  rains,  befoie  his  green 


stalks  should  be  crowned  with  the  full  cars ;  the  white  hue 
of  which  would  show  that  they  would  be  soon  the  golden 
grain,  fit  for  the  reaper's  sickle.  Not  so  the  gospel  harvest; 
for  '*  behold,"  says  our  Saviour,  **  lift  up  your  eyes  and 
"  look  on  the  fields,  white  already:"  that  is,  the  time  is 
come ;  the  world  is  prepared ;  the  means  are  at  hand ;  and 
the  event  is  sure. 

It  is  probable  that  this  transaction  fell  in  with  what  is  said 
by  another  of  the  Evangelists — "  From  that  time  Jesus  be- 
*'  gan  to  preacli,  and  to  say,  Repent,  for  the  kingdom  of 
**  heaven  is  at  hand:"  so  that  now  was  the  eve  of  the  gos- 
pel day:  now  was  to  begin  that  sound  which  should  **  go 
"  out  into  all  lands,  and  its  words  unto  the  ends  of  the 
"  world:"  now  was  to  be  verified  what  our  Saviour  had 
just  before  told  the  Samaritans,  that  the  local  worship  of  tliQ 
Jews  was  to  give  way  to  an  universal  "  worship  of  the 
**  Father,  in  spirit  and  in  truth;"  and  that  his  own  blessed 
instructions  should  be  in  the  hearts  of  believers,  *'  a  well  of 
**  water,  springing  up  into  everlasting  life." 

You  see,  then,  that  the  text  respects  an  event,  wliich, 
at  tlie  time,  was  just  about  to  take  place;  namely,  tho 
establishment  of  Christ's  Church,  emphatically  called  his 
kingdom  on  earth.  It  Is  a  subject  that  has  its  encourage- 
ments and  its  duties.  1  chose  it  with  a  view  to  the  present 
ecclesiastical  convention;  because  such  a  body,  at  any  pe- 
riod of  the  Church,  can  have  no  proper  object,  except  in  the 
way  of  instrumentality  to  the  event  foreshown.  But  there 
having  occurred,  unexpectedly,  another  occasion,  which  calls 
f(jr  some  notice  from  this  place,  I  consider,  with  satisfac- 
tion, that  there  arc  no  sentiments  arising  from  my  subject 
previously  selected,  but  what  will  apply  alike  as  a  charge 
and  as  an  incentive  to  our  Rev.  Brother,  now  entering  Into 
the  highest  order  of  the  ministry.  And  when  I  contemplate 
both  these  occasions  in  connection  with  the  present  state  of 
the  world  in  general,  and  of  this  our  country  In  particular, 
there  oj^ens  so  wide  a  field  of  gosiK-l  labour,  tliat  I  find  my- 


self  warranted  to  apply  to  my  text  that  saying  of  our  Saviour 
on  another  occasion — "  This  clay  is  this  scripture  fulfilled 
**  in  your  ears." 

The  use  which  I  intend  to  make  of  the  text  is  as  follows  : 

1st.  To  lay  open  to  you  the  ground  on  which  our  Sa- 
viour predicted  the  success  of  the  ensuing  preaching  of  his 
gospel. 

2dly.  To  bring  before  you  the  encouragement  which  we 
have  at  this  time,  to  expect  an  happy  issue  of  our  labours, 
in  the  same  blessed  work :  and, 

3dly.  To  apply  to  the  state  of  our  Church  what  shall  be 
said  on  both  these  heads,  in  respect  to  the  influence  which 
they  should  have  on  doctrine,  on  discipline,  and  on  morals. 

1 .  I  am  to  lay  open  to  you  the  ground  on  which  our 
Saviour  predicted  the  success  of  the  ensuing  preaching  of 
his  gospel. 

That  ground  is  in  the  crisis  to  which  all  the  manifesta- 
tions of  God  to  man,  after  his  apostasy,  have  a  reference. 

The  most  distinguishing  characteristic  of  the  history  of 
the  Bible  is  its  presenting  us  with  a  long  series  of  cir- 
cumstances, connected  with  one  another,  and  terminating 
in  a  great  event,  which  could  have  happened  at  no  other 
time  than  that  when  "  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arose,  witli 
"  healing  in  his  wings."  With  the  curse  upon  the  ground, 
and  the  sentence  of  man's  mortality,  there  was  given  the 
consoling  promise  of  "  the  seed  of  the  woman  to  bruise 
"  the  serpent's  head:"  And  to  be  a  sensible  representation 
of  the  promise,  pointing  to  the  fulfilment  of  it,  sacrifices 
were  instituted,  to  be  figures  of  that  great  sacrifice,  which 
should  be  made  in  due  time  for  sin. 

If  we  carry  on  our  attention  to  the  patriarchal  age,  we 
find  nothing  in  it  more  conspicuous  than  its  being  distin- 
gulslied  by  promises  not  at  that  time  fulfilled.  Tlie  Apostle 
St.  Paul,  in  reference  to  this  very  point,  says,  "  By  faith 
*'  Abraham  sojourned  in  the  land  of  promise,  as  in  a  strange 
*•  country :     By  faith  Isaac  blessed  Jacob  and  Esau,  con- 


8 

**  ceming  tilings  to  come:  And  by  faith  Jacob,  wlicn  bft 
**  was  dying,  blessed  both  the  sons  of  Joseph."  Yes,  it 
was  all  in  faith,  and  not  in  sight ;  in  expectation,  and  not 
in  enjoyment,  that  they  were  distinguished  by  the  divine 
blessing.  If  this  life,  and  if  those  times  only  had  been  in 
question,  we  see  nothing,  in  the  circumstances  of  the  per- 
sonages spoken  of,  answering  to  the  chain  of  expectation, 
that  reaches  tlirough  their  history,  of  good  things  in  store, 
from  a  dispensation,  in  which  themselves,  their  posterity, 
and,  indeed,  the  world  were  interested;  an  expectation, 
which  wc  find  the  last  of  them  delivering  to  his  sons,  with 
some  note  of  the  time  when  it  was  to  be  accomplished ;  viz. 
when  the  sceptre  should  be  departing  from  the  tribe  of 
Judah. 

The  later  wc  descend,  the  more  evidence  we  find  of  the 
time  designed.  Thus  Haggai  makes  it  between  the  building 
and  the  destruction  of  the  second  temple:  Malachi  "  seals 
*'  up  the  vision  and  prophecy  witli  an  annunciation  of  the 
•*  Messiah's  harbinger:"  But  the  Prophet  Daniel  is  the 
most  precise  of  all,  when  he  si)ecifics  seventy  weeks  of  years, 
as  what  should  end  widi  the  "  bringing  in  of  everlasting 
*'  righteousness,  and  the  anointing  of  the  Most  Holy." 

All  these  predictions,  and  many  more,  apply  to  the  time 
of  our  blessed  Saviour's  appearance,  as  to  the  beginning  of 
a  new  era,  in  which  they  were  to  have  their  comj^lction. 
And  1  have  taken  this  review,  as  conceiving  that  nothing 
can  more  recommend  the  publishing  of  the  glail  tidings  of 
salvation,  or  more  powerfully  persuade  to  the  contributing 
to  that  gcKxl  work,  than  the  seeing,  diat  it  was  appointed  us 
early  as  man's  apostasy  in  paradise;  that  it  was  foretold  and 
hoj)cd  in  by  a  succession  of  patriarchs,  of  prophets,  and  of 
saints;  in  short,  that  long  and  often  before  its  commence- 
iiK  nt  it  was  held  out,  as  what  should  at  last  prove  the  com- 
pletion ot  all  the  dispensations  of  providence  to  die  humau 
race. 

This  then  is  the  ground  of  the  prediction  in  iny  text; 


and  the  laying  it  open  prepares  the  way  for  my  remarks 
under  the  second  head; 

2.  Which  is  to  bring  before  you  the  encouragement  we 
have  at  this  day  to  expect  an  happy  issue  of  our  labours  in 
the  same  blessed  work. 

For,  1st.  It  is  a  continuance  of  the  same  merciful  dis- 
pensation to  mankind.  We  have  seen  how  wonderfully  the 
prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament  centered  in  the  point  of 
time  which  our  Saviour  has  called  the  beginning  of  his 
gospel  harvest.  But  thence  arises  another  chain  of  pro- 
phecy, which  will  end  in  the  finishing  of  the  harvest,  by 
*'  the  binding  of  the  tares  in  bundles,  to  burn  them,  and  the 
"  gathering  of  the  wheat  into  the  barn:"  for  such  is  the 
figurative  language  in  which  there  is  represented  to  us  the 
final  appointment  of  rewards  to  the  righteous,  and  of  punish- 
ments to  the  wicked. 

There  is  a  very  expressive  prophecy  to  this  purpose,  in 
which  Christ  compares  his  Church  to  "  a  grain  of  mustard- 
*'  seed,  which  was  the  least  of  all  seeds;  but  yet  (in  the 
"  climates  of  the  east)  became  a  great  tree;  so  that  the 
"  fowls  of  the  air  lodged  in  the  branches  of  it."  The 
smallness  of  the  seed  was,  indeed,  a  fit  emblem  of  the  hum- 
ble beginning  of  Christianity ;  the  branching  out  into  a  tree 
was  a  lively  representation  of  what  happened  in  the  ensuing 
increase  of  the  Church ;  and  the  circumstance  of  the  fowls 
of  the  air  finding  shelter  under  the  branches  of  it,  corre- 
sponds with  the  consolations  and  the  uses  of  Christian  Doc- 
trine. But  yet  we  are  not  to  consider  the  prophecy  as  fulfil- 
led until,  agreeably  to  the  clear  sense  of  other  prophecies, 
*'  the  fulness  of  the  gentiles  be  come  in." 

As  there  is  thus  a  continuance  of  the  same  dispensation 
in  another  chain  of  prophecy,  so,  2dly.  There  is  the  same 
divine  commission  on  which  to  rely  for  success. 

The  promise  of  Christ  to  his  Apostles,  and  through  them 
to  his  whole  Church,  that  he  would  be  with  them  to  the  end 
*'  of  the  world,"  is  as  much  in  force  at  die  present  dav  as 


10 

when  it  proceeded  from  liis  gracious  lips.  I'he  command 
origliiidly  given — "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
**  gospel  to  every  creature,"  comes  as  authoritatively  in  suc- 
cession as  when  it  was  first  received.  As  to  any  hindrances 
which  have  occurred  to  the  accomplishing  of  tlie  full  effect 
of  such  promises  and  of  such  commands,  they  are  what 
were  foretold  in  scripture.  Still,  the  *'  promises  of  God  in 
**  Christ  are  yea  and  amen;"  that  is,  immutable  and  sure; 
carrying  on  our  expectations  to  the  time,  when  "  the  fuU 
"  ness  of  the  gentiles  shall  come  in,"  and  when  the  king- 
dom of  the  Messiah  shall  "  cover  the  whole  cartli,  as  the 
"  waters  cover  the  sea." 

As  there  is  tlius  the  same  commission,  so,  3dly.  There 
are  stipulated  the  same  divine  aids,  as  well,  generally,  to  all 
for  whose  sake  the  commission  was  given,  as,  especially,  to 
those  vested  with  it.  The  promise,  tJiat  "  where  two  or 
*'  three  are  gathered  together  in  Christ's  name,  there  is  he 
*'  in  the  midst  of  them,"  was  a  pledging  of  divine  truth, 
which  no  length  of  time  can  abrogate  or  weaken.  AVhat 
animating  promises,  to  the  same  purpose,  do  we  meet  with 
every  where  in  scripture  f  Such  as,  of  "  a  strength  to  be 
"  made  perfect  in  our  weakness;"  of  *'  a  grace  that  is  to  be 
"  sufficient  for  us;"  of  *'  a  love"  which  "  will  bring  us 
**  off  more  than  conquerors"  over  our  spiritual  enemies; 
and  of  "  a  power,"  by  which  we  shall  be  "  kept  through 
"  faith  unto  salvation !"  In  connection  with  these  aids,  and 
as  the  ordinary  means  of  their  conveyance,  wc  have  the 
sanyj  sacraments,  to  be  the  seal  and  the  outward  sign  of  that 
inward  grace;  all  designed  for  the  strengthening  of  our 
faith,  for  the  confirming  of  our  resolutions,  and  for  the  in- 
creasing of  our  graces;  and  further,  to  keep  steadily  before 
our  view  that  great  end  of  all,  "  the  life  and  the  immorta- 
**  lity  brought  to  light  by  the  gospel." 

•4-thly.  I  cannot  leave  this  brant  h  of  my  subject  without 
adding,  as  another  encouragement,  or  rather  as  a  circum- 
itancc  giving  weight  to  all  die  encouragements  enumerated, 


11 

that  tlie  time  in  which  we  live  is  sucli  as  naturally  prompts 
the  expectation  of  the  enlargement  of  tlie  Messiah's  king- 
dom, held  out  to  us  in  prophecy. 

It  cannot  be  unknown  to  you,  that  many  of  great  name, 
in  different  countries,  have  had  their  attention  drawn  to  this 
point,  and  especially  to  the  openings  whic  h  they  think  they 
discover  of  it  in  the  book  of  Revelation;  which  has  been 
profanely  called  a  "  book  of  riddles;"  but  is  not  exceeded 
by  any  book,  cither  in  the  nicely  wrought  contexture  of  its 
parts,  or  for  the  evidences  of  a  deep  design  throughout  die 
whole ;  and  of  which  there  have  been  some  predictions  so 
conspicuously  fulfilled  (predictions  expressed  in  symbolical 
language,  but  intelligible  from  the  use  of  the  same  symbols 
in  other  parts  of  scripture),  that  we  have  reason  to  rely  oq 
it  in  regard  to  events  to  come. 

It  is  not  my  design  to  bring  before  you  all  the  reasons 
which  have  occurred  of  the  expectation  stated.  I  will^ 
however,  principally  mention  one  passage  of  the  said  book, 
which  has  made  a  particular  impression  on  my  miiid.  It  is 
in  the  14th  chapter;  where,  after  the  events  of  the  sixdi 
trumpet,  which  are  supposed  to  reach  down  to  die  age  in 
which  we  live,  and  just  before  the  fall  of  mystic  Babylon, 
which,  in  subsequent  parts  of  the  prophecy,  appeal*  to  be 
connected  with  the  sounding  of  the  seventh  trumpet,  not 
yet  heard ;  I  say,  at  this  crisis  the  sublime  symbol  is  intro.- 
duced,  of  "  an  Angel,  flying  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  hav- 
*'  ing  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach  unto  them  tliat  dwell 
*'  on  the  earth;  and  to  every  nation,  and  kingdom,  and 
^'tongue,  and  people:"  a  symbol,  the  sense  of  which  can- 
not, I  think,  be  accomplished  in  the  preaching  of  the  gospel 
between  the  two  periods,  amidst  the  darkness  of  the  inter- 
vening times,  which  is  the  interpretation  commonly  given 
to  it;  but,  considering  the  new  agent  introduced,  the  so- 
lemn notice  given  of  him,  and  die  extent  of  his  errand, 
^eems  to  be  a  new  and  general  extension  of  the  faith. 

"\ Whether  this  shall  happen  in  consequence  of  pcrsccutionr, 


12 

first  falling  on  the  professors  of  Christianity,  as  some  think 
there  is  prophetic  ground  to  apprcliend,  and  which  shall 
cause  tlieir  religion  to  extend  itself  into  distant  countries, 
in  like  manner  as  literature  formerly  spread  itself  over  the 
western  parts  of  Europe,  in  its  flight  from  the  desolations 
of  the  eastern ;  and  whether  a  temporary  prevalence  of  in- 
fidelity shall  be  marked  with  such  bloody  violence  as  to 
draw  men  back  to  the  mild  religion  of  Jesus,  divested  of 
whatever  corruptions  may  have  been  grafted  on  it;  and 
whether  it  may  not  he  the  splendid  privilege  of  the  land  in 
which  we  live,  to  be,  the  most  conspicuously,  tlie  scene  of 
the  fulfilment  of  the  prophecy,  by  exhibiting  a  concurrent 
progress  of  Christianity  and  of  civilization,  are  points  which 
I  do  not  presume  to  determine,  and  wliich  do  not  materially 
affect  the  remark  I  have  introduced:  for  the  event  being 
sure,  but  the  time  and  the  means  of  it  locked  up  in  the  coun- 
sels of  God;  the  expectation  of  it  is  an  encouragement  to 
gospel  duties  and  to  gospel  labours. 

What  inclines  me  the  more  to  the  interpretation  given, 
is  the  consideration  of  two  events  predicted  in  the  same 
book,  and,  in  all  probability,  not  now  remote:  I  mean 
the  ceasing  of  the  dominion  by  whicli  the  Arabian  impos- 
ture has  been  supported,  and  the  overthrow  of  the  Roman 
power  in  its  seventh  and  last  head.  And  when  I  say  that, 
in  all  probability,  they  are  not  remote,  I  allude  to  the  long 
interval  which  has  taken  place  since  tlie  event  which  was 
the  subject  of  the  sixth  trumpet;  and  the  place  assigned  to 
the  events  now  spoken  of,  which  will  be  under  the  seventh. 
In  regard  to  the  first  of  these  events,  die  specified  periods  of 
**  an  hour,  a  day,  a  month,  and  a  year,"  however  figura- 
tive the  language,  denote  a  determinate  time  in  the  coun- 
sels of  God:  and  although  1  presume  not  to  fix  die  begin- 
ning and  the  ending  of  the  term,  yet  I  contemplate  a  rela- 
tion between  tlie  ending  of  it  and  that  other  figure  of  "  the 
"  drying  up  of  tlie  Kuphrates,  that  the  way  of  the  Kings 
J*  of  the  East  may  be  prepared:"  which  1  suppose  can  dc- 


lis 

note  nothing  short  of  an  opportunity  given  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  nations  who  have  been  under  the  iron  sceptre 
of  the  impostor  and  his  successors.  In  regard  to  the  other 
event,  I  should  be  misunderstood  if  I  were  thought  to  im- 
pHcate  pious  and  virtuous  persons  of  any  rehgion,  or  of 
any  station,  in  the  woes  denounced  under  this  department 
of  the  prophecy.  The  figurative  language  of  a  beast,  with 
the  attributes  in  which  he  is  arrayed,  must  mean,  in  this 
book,  as  in  the  book  of  Daniel,  from  which  the  figures  of 
this  are  in  a  great  measure  taken,  not  a  person,  not  a  suc- 
cession of  persons  in  their  individual  capacities,  but  a  power. 
And  when  this  political  agency,  this  metaphysical  Being, 
is  described  with  the  properties  of  persecuting  and  idolatrous, 
1  conceive  that  the  censure  can  no  further  apply  to  real 
persons,  than  as  they  may  have  been  carried,  either  con- 
trary to  their  convictions,  or  through  the  influence  of  pas- 
sion, into  habits  of  idolatry  and  of  persecution.  With  this 
caution  against  the  charge  of  uncharitableness  in  myself, 
and  against  the  danger  of  exciting  it  in  others,  I  profess  the 
opinion  that  the  book  in  question  is  utterly  unintelligible, 
but  on  the  principle  of  applying  the  metaphor  of  the  beast 
who  took  the  dragon's  seat,  to  that  power  which  arose 
during  the  dark  ages,  within  the  bounds  of  the  western 
Church.  And  it  is  the  downfal  of  this  power  at  the  sound- 
ing of  the  seventh  trumpet,  as  it  is  expressed  in  one  place, 
or  at  the  pouring  out  of  the  seventh  vial,  as  it  is  in  another, 
when  a  new  and  better  dispensation  of  Providence  is  to 
begin;  under  which  "  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  are 
"  to  become  the  kingdoms  of  the  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ." 

Let  me  not  be  supposed  chargeable  with  the  folly  of  cal- 
culating the  times  of  events,  which,  for  the  evident  pur- 
pose of  obscurity  until  the  times  shall  come,  are  wrapped 
up  in  hieroglyphic  language.  No;  1  leave  such  knowledge 
to  the  dispensations  which  arc  to  disclose  it;  when  there 
will,  doubdess,  stand  forth  as  evident  a  correspondency  be- 
tween the  events  and  the  figurative  exhibitions  of  them,  as 


11 

there  is  now  in  regard  to  past  events  which  had  been  fore- 
told in  tliis  very  book :  for  instance,  the  rise  and  the  vast 
extent  of  the  Saracenical  and  tlie  Turkish  empires ;  concern- 
ing which  it  was  impossible  to  have  formed  any  precise  ex- 
pectations from  the  terms  in  which  they  had  been  anncjunced. 
And  there  is  this  unhappy  circumstance  attached  to  the  being, 
by  anticipation,  "  wise  above  what  is  written;"  that  it  tends 
to  reconcile  men  to  very  wicked  deeds,  under  tlie  idea  that 
they  are  hastening  the  accomplishment  of  the  divine  pre- 
dictions. No  doubt,  the  great  Being  "  who  makes  the 
**  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,"  will,  in  this  line,  as  in 
the  more  ordinary  dealings  of  his  providence,  overrule  in- 
jurious passions  to  a  subserviency  of  his  eternal  purposes. 
But  his  course,  in  this  respect,  is  perceivable  no  other- 
wise tlian  by  the  issue ;  and,  in  the  meanwhile,  it  rests  with 
lis  to  judge  of  men  and  measures  on  tlie  immutable  grounds 
of  justice  and  mercy,  independently  on  tlie  consideration, 
that  good  will  be  at  last  brought  out  of  the  temporary  pre- 
valence of  evil.  But  notwithstanding  the  abuses  into  which 
some  well-meaning  persons  have  been  betrayed,  the  cir- 
cumstances stated  may  be  considered  as  the  opening  of 
splendid  prospects  as  to  the  future  prevalence  oi  the  uncor- 
rupted  gospel  of  the  Redeemer.  And  if  the  field,  in  this 
extensive  sense  of  the  words,  be  not  "  already  ripe  to 
**  harvest,"  the  c;rain  is  in  such  forwardness  as  that  the 
reai>ers  should  be  in  readiness  to  avail  themselves  of  die  ripe- 
ness when  it  shall  appear;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  there  is 
work  sufficient  for  the  exercise  of  their  vigilance,  their  ac- 
tivity, and  the  best  gifts  which  they  may  possess,  whether 
of  nature  or  of  education. 

1  he  sum  of  what  has  been  said  is  this:  ITiat  the  gospel 
stands  not  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of 
God:  its  preparatory  disi)ensations,  its  miraculous  establish- 
ment, and  its  subsc<)ucnt  progress,  entering  into  evcM  v  part 
of  the  series  of  Divine  Providence,  from  the  creation  of 
the  world  to  its  dissolution. 


15 

Nevertheless,  God  acts  here,  as  in  the  natural  world, 
by  second  causes :  so  tliat,  after  the  establishment  of  the 
christian  faith  by  miracles,  the  extension  of  it  will  very 
much  depend,  under  the  divine  blessing,  on  the  zeal,  the 
charity,  and  all  the  graces  and  the  quahfications  of  its  mi- 
nisters, and  its  other  members,  in  their  respective  times  and 
places.  For  this  reason  I  proposed,  under  the  third  head 
of  my  discourse, 

3.  To  apply  to  the  state  of  our  Church  what  has  been 
said,  under  the  preceding  heads,  in  respect  to  the  influence 
which  they  should  have  on  doctrine,  on  discipline,  and  on 
morals. 

Here  I  Implore  divine  grace,  to  be  guarded  alike  against 
that  influence  of  infirmity  which  may  make  me  mistake 
human  opinion  for  the  infallible  word  of  God,  as  against 
that  extreme  of  caution  which  might  keep  back  any  mat- 
ters arising  out  of  my  subject,  and  profitable  to  us,  either 
individually,  or  in  relation  to  the  trust  at  this  time  com- 
mitted to  our  management. 

First,  then,  in  regard  to  doctrine,  it  must  be  evident, 
that  if,  as  this  whole  discourse  was  designed  to  prove,  it  be 
a  part  of  the  plan  of  unerring  wisdom,  that  Christian  Doc- 
trine should  have  an  important,  an  increasing,  and,  at  last, 
an  universally  pervading  effect  on  the  condition  of  man- 
kind, it  must  be  accompHshed  by  something  inherent  to  the 
system,  and  of  wlilch  it  cannot  be  deprived  without  Its  ceas- 
ing to  be  the  contemplated  instrument  in  the  divine  hand. 

If  this  be  so,  here  is  a  powerful  motive  to  christians  of 
all  degrees,  to  maintain  Inviolate  the  precious  deposit  of 
"  the  faith  once  delivered  to  tlie  saints.'*  Especially,  it 
brings  an  obligation  to  that  effect  on  the  consciences  of 
those  to  whom  is  committed  the  superintendance  of  ecclesi- 
astical concerns;  and  It  intimates  cause  of  fear,  that  the 
neglect  of  so  sacred  a  trust  may  be  visited  by  the  judgment 
denounced  in  scripture  relative  to  the  very  delinquency  in 
question;  viz.  "  the  removing  of  the  candlestick  out  of  its 


16 

"  place,"  or  the  ceasing  to  be  a  branch  of  Christ's  mystic 
body. 

It  will  not  be  thought  that  I  am  cautioning  against  an 
imaginary  danger,  when  it  is  recollected,  that  in  these  lat- 
ter ages  there  lias  been  a  growing,  disposition  to  accommo- 
date to  a  concurrent  growth  of  infidelity,  by  laying  little 
stress  on  those  parts  of  the  christian  system  which  are  exclu- 
sively christian,  and  by  representing  its  blessed  Author  as 
little  else  dian  die  teacher  of  a  rule  of  morals.  It  would 
be  easy  to  show  diat  such  prevarication  has  been  die  mcans^ 
not  of  checking  infidelity,  but  of  extending  it.  This  ont 
of  the  question,  it  is  a  mean  which  no  apparent  bcnetit  of 
the  end  can  justify;  especially  as  it  is  evident,  throughout 
the  whole  history  of  Christianity,  that,  as  well  its  consola-^ 
tions  as  its  restraints,  have  been  the  most  conspicuous  in 
the  conduct  of  mankind,  when  its  doctrines  and  its  precepts 
have  gone  together  in  a  consistent  union. 

It  will  not  be  expected  that  I  should,  at  this  time,  make 
a  display  of  the  body  of  christian  doctrine.  It  may  be  pro- 
per, however,  to  advert  to  a  few  leading  points,  in  evi- 
dence of  die  sentiments  which  have  been  expressed.  With 
this  view  only,  dien,  I  add,  diat  the  ground-work  of  the 
whole  scheme  in  man's  loss  of  his  original  righteousness; 
that,  by  way  of  remedy  of  this,  the  mediatorial  character 
of  Christ,  involving  die  sacrifice  which  he  made  for  sin, 
in  the  strict  and  proper  meaning  of  die  expressions;  as 
connected  with  every  branch  of  the  subject,  his  divinity, 
and  his  existence  before  all  ages ;  and,  as  stamping  a  cha- 
racter on  the  entire  design,  its  being  a  dispensation  of  grace, 
meaning  of  grace  or  favour  as  die  operating  motive  of  tlic 
divMK"  mind,  and  of  grace  or  aid  as  essential  to  man's  per- 
formaiKc  of  the  ( onJitions  of  die  gospel  covenant;  arc 
points  not  dependent  on  detached  pas.sHges  oi'  holy  writ, 
but  pervadltig  all  its  books,  'i'hey  aie  points  which  have 
been  held  by  the  Ciiurcli  at  all  times  and  in  all  places,  and 
have  always  entered  into  die  encouragements  and  the  hopes 


17 

of  christians.  Of  consequence,  if  there  be  any  promises 
which  favour  the  expectation  of  a  future  increase  of  the  pre- 
valence of  the  gospel,  sUch  promises  can  have  no  force, 
otherwise  than  as  connected  with  tliese  characteristic  doc- 
trines of  the  system  to  be  propagated. 

On  this  occasion,  then,  I  remind  the  Clerical  Members 
of  our  assembly,  of  the  duty  lying  on  us  so  to  form  our 
discourses  from  the  pulpit  as  not  to  separate  what  God  has 
thus  joined  together,  in  his  revelation  of  himself  in  the 
gospel.  You  will  understand  mCj  my  Rev.  Brethren,  as 
meaning  that  we  should  be  not  merely  moral,  but  gospel 
preachers;  God  forbid  that  I  should  echo  the  cant  of  those 
who  value  themselves  on  the  decrying  of  moral  righteous- 
ness— that  perfection  of  the  human  character,  or  rather  of 
the  divine.  But  however  full  the  scriptures  in  their  display 
of  every  branch  of  moral  righteousness,  their  principal  be- 
nefit to  man,  in  his  present  state  of  infirmity  and  sin,  is  in 
the  motives  and  the  aids  by  which  virtue  and  duty  of 
every  sort  are  brought  within  the  sphere  of  his  attainment 
and  his  practice. 

Is  it,  then,  that  the  minister  of  the  gospel  is  never  to 
make  a  particular  moral  duty  the  professed  subject  of  his 
discourse?  It  is  not  my  design  to  say  so:  but  what  I  mean 
is  in  relation  to  the  three  points  which  follow,  and  which, 
I  conceive,  should  distinguish  him  from  a  preacher  of  mere 
moral  righteousness.  First.  That  the  leading  doctrines  of 
the  gospel  should  be,  occasionally,  the  especial  subjects  of 
his  discourses :  next,  that  moral  duties,  inculcate  them  when 
he  may,  should  be  grounded  on  christian  principles,  and 
enforced  by  christian  motives :  and,  principally,  that  the 
same  righteousness  ought  not,  according  to  his  statements, 
to  be  a  mere  "  cleansing  of  the  outside  of  the  cup  and 
"  platter,"  consistent  with  uncleanliness  within,  but  should 
be,  what  the  gospel  precepts  are  so  full  of,  that  renovation 
of  the  heart  which  is  the  only  source  of  real  rectitude  in  the 

c 


18 

Jife,  and  tho  only  evidence  of  our  being  wlthiii  the  gospel 
covenant. 

In  delivering  these  sentiments,  I  will  clothe  myself  with 
the  sanction  of  an  eminent  character  mucli  venerated  in 
this  country  in  his  day.  The  person  whom  I  mean  is  the 
late  Archbishop  Skcker  ,  and  I  allude  to  a  letter  of  his  re- 
lative to  a  disturbance  which  had  arisen  in  one  of  our  Ame- 
rican congregations.  The  American  clergy  had  been  re- 
presented to  the  Archbishop  as  not  being  gospel  preachers  : 
In  relation  to  wliich  he  advises  to  guard  against  the  re- 
proach, by  more  diligently  inculcating  whatever  truths 
border  on  the  errors  existing  in  the  quarter  from  which 
the  accusation  came.  'J  he  letter,  addressed  to  a  Rev.  Mem- 
ber of  this  Convention,*  was  published,  many  years  ago, 
in  a  narrative  of  tlic  transaction  referred  to,  by  another 
Rev.  Brother,  formerly  of  this  State. f  And  I  am  happy 
in  the  idea,  that  a  venerable  father  of  the  Church,  now 
dead,  and  during  his  life  very  attentive  to  the  concerns  of 
our  American  Churches,  yet  .speaks  to  you  in  what  I  am 
delivering  from  this  place. 

The  principle  which  I  am  inculcating  is  obligatory  not 
only  on  preachers,  as  such,  but  on  all  persons,  wliether 
of  the  clerical  order  or  of  the  laity,  who  may  be  ap- 
pointed to  the  exercise  of  the  legislative  authority  of  tlic 
Church.  I  know  tlwt  this  contradicts  the  notions  which 
some  persons  have  framed  to  themselves,  of  liberality  and 
toleration.  Strange  misapplication  of  the  Words !  Is  it  not 
suificicntly  liberal  that  we  leave  diose  who  dither  fiom  us 
to  the  judgment  of  our  common  Master;  duly  estimating 
wluit  virtues  they  may  ix)sscss,  and  nwking  every  charitable 
allowante  for  what  we  may  conceive  to  be  their  errors^ 
is  it  not  bufliciently  tolerant  to  show  ourselves  as  far  frora 


•  Dr.  Smith,  of  Pennsylvania. 

t  Dr.  ChaiiUlcr,  of  ElizdbcUi-Town. 


19 

having  the  will,  as,  God  be  thanked,  we  are,  in  this  land 
of  freedom,  from  the  power,  of  inflicting  injury  for  diver- 
sity of  opinion?  And  can  there  be  no  claim  to  the  virtues 
spoken  of,  until  we  acknowledge  t\o  truth  which  some  per- 
sons may  suppose  to  be  an  error,  and  until  we  have  no 
prayers  to  which  there  are  opinions  in  opposition  ?  It  may 
be  doubted  whedier,  on  such  a  ground,  there  can  be  any 
social  worship:  But  it  is  certain  that  such  a  system  is  not 
in  the  gospel,  which  proclaims  "  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus," 
independently  on  what  may  be  the  speculations  of  fallible 
men.  It  may  happen — it  has  happened  to  the  said  divine 
truth,  to  be  disfigured  by  the  additions  of  human  weakness. 
To  disengage  the  Church  from  these,  is  incumbent  on  those 
who  govern  in  it,  according  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  and 
as  they  shall  answer  to  the  Judge  of  all.  But  they  are 
jiot  to  do  this  by  the  sacrifice  of  gospel  doctrine  to  doubt 
and  unbelief;  which  would  render  the  Church  of  Christ  ai; 
institution  dependent  on  the  changing  interests  and  the  un- 
foreseen incidents  of  different  times;  and  not  that  spiritual 
society  always  subject  to  the  same  faith,  the  same  sacra-, 
ments,  and  the  same  ministry;  and  whose  divine  Head  has 
promised  to  be  with  it  "  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 

The  next  point  to  which  the  discourse  applies  is  that  of 
the  discipline  of  the  Church :  for  it  has  been  of  the  essence 
of  the  subject,  that  the  spiritual  harvest  promised  was  the 
gathering  of  a  social  body.  To  this  body  diere  must  be- 
long all  the  attributes  which  are  found  in  society  under  its 
various  forms:  which  attributes,  so  far  as  the  society  in 
question  is  concerned,  must  be  considered  in  connection 
with  whatever  else  has  been  determined  by  its  divine  Foun- 
der, as  especially  belonging  to  it.  The  different  portions  of 
this  spiritual  body  extended  over  the  world,  are  joined  toge- 
ther by  the  common  tie  of  the  "  unity  of  die  Spirit,  and 
''  the  bond  of  peace."  But,  besides  dds,  each  part  is  charged 
with  the  preservation  in  itself  of  the  integrity  of  die  com- 
mon faidi,  and  the  administration  of  its  local  interests  and 


20 

concerns.  Now,  if  there  be  such  a  body  grounded,  as  the 
argument  impHes,  not  on  voluntary  association,  but  on  di- 
vine institution ;  and  if  there  rests  on  each  particular  part  of 
the  body,  the  obligation  of  maintaining  and  of  extending 
che  influence  of  gospel  truth,  no  doubt  its  success  must 
very  much  depend  on  the  unblemished  reputation  of  its 
members:  and  it  is  evident,  tlxat  licentiousness,  in  any  de- 
gree, and  in  any  shape,  must  operate  in  contrariety  to  the 
profession  made,  however  true  and  holy. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that 
any  one  can  be  persuaded  of  the  divine  institution  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  not  at  least  entertain  the  wish,  that 
the  discipline  of  it  might  clear  it  of  the  scandal  of  every 
person  who  lives  in  violation  of  its  moral  precepts. 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  hold  up  ecclesiastical  authority,  as 
extending  to  a  discipline  of  the  mind.  If  there  be  any  re- 
ligious societies  who  think,  that,  by  such  means,  they  can 
accomplish  such  an  object,  it  is  not  the  sense  of  the  Church 
to  which  we  belong:  for  she  considers  as  her  legitimate 
children  all  who,  having  been  brought  within  her  commu- 
nion by  the  regenerating  rite  of  Baptism,  have  not  swerved, 
in  conduct,  from  the  profession  therein  made  by  them,  or 
in  their  name.  She  knows  that  there  may  be  tares  growing 
•among  the  wheat;  but  she  remembers  the  injunction  of  the 
Lord  of  the  field — "  let  both  grow  together  until  the  har- 
**  vest:'*  and  she  therefore  restrains  the  officious  zeal  of 
those  servants  who  might  be  tempted  to  **  gather  up  the 
**  tares,"  by  the  exercise  of  an  inquisitorial  authority  over 
the  movements  of  the  mind.  But  if  there  be  any  living  in 
sensuality,  or  in  profancncss,  or  in  dlshonesiv,  or  in  avowed 
disbelief  of  our  holy  religion ;  and  if  there  be  any  christian 
who  is  not  wounded  by  the  dishonour  which  the  Church 
sustains  from  the  mcmbcrsliipand  exercised  rights  of  persons 
so  living,  such  a  cliristian  must  have  less  sensibility  to  the 
honour  of  that  body  of  Christ  of  which  he  is  a  part,  than 
he  would  have  for  the  reputation  of  any  human  association. 


21 

intended  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  world,  or 
for  the  entertainment  of  conversation. 

I  know  the  magnitude  of  the  work  which  I  am  holding 
up  as  an  object  of  desire:  I  am  aware  of  the  weight  of 
character  necessary  to  prevent  every  effort  towards  it  from 
being  not  only  impotent,  but  contemptible :  I  confess  that 
nothing  ought  to  be  done  in  it,  unless  it  can  be,  as  nearly 
as  human  inhimity  will  permit,  without  prejudice  or  parti- 
ality: and  I  calculate  on  the  clamorous  pretences  which 
would  be  made  of  persecution,  however  unconnected  the 
matter  with  any  civil  interests.  I  hope  that,  in  considera- 
tion of  these  impediments,  we  do  not  stand  guilty  in  the 
eye  of  the  Father  of  mercies,  of  criminal  neglect  of  a  trust, 
"which,  to  all  appearance,  and  under  present  circumstances, 
cannot  be  exercised  for  the  Church's  good,  except  in  that 
moderate  degree  which  I  suppose  It  to  be  practised  by  all 
the  Clergy,  the  repelling  of  immoral  livers  from  the  cele- 
bration of  the  Eucharist.  Yet  this  hinders  not  its  being  a 
matter  of  devout  desire,  and  much  tending  to  the  propaga- 
tion of  the  gospel,  that.  In  regard  to  every  ungodly  and 
licentious  liver,  we  were  In  the  practice  of  that  precept  of 
the  gospel,  applied  to  this  very  matter — "  Put  away  from 
*'  among  yourselves  that  wicked  person." 

There  Is  a  more  limited  exercise  of  ecclesiastical  disci- 
pline, concerning  which  I  take  this  opportunity  of  declar- 
ing my  opinion,  that  there  are  no  existing  circumstances 
apologizing  for  the  neglect  of  It ;  I  mean  as  It  respects  im- 
moral Clergymen,  If  such  are  to  be  found.  There  is  so 
glaring  an  inconsistency  in  preaching  to  others  what  we 
have  no  sense  of  the  duty  of  practising  ourselves;  tliere  is 
such  a  mockery  of  God  in  assuming,  at  ordination,  those 
solemn  vows,  which  are  not  intended  to  have  any  opera- 
tion on  the  conscience:  in  short,  an  immoral  Clergyman 
so  much  shocks  the  sense  which  mankind  in  general  enter- 
tain of  decency,  that  both  saints  and  sinners  will  lionour 


22 

cveiy  exertion  for  the  clearing  of  the  Cliurch  from  the 
scandal  of  his  irregularities. 

It  is  your  preacher's  duty  to  suppose,  that  no  such  case 
exists  as  that  which  he  contemplates  to  be  a  ground  of  ec- 
clesiastical censure.  It  is  more  especially  his  duty  to  sup- 
pose so,  because,  if  such  a  case  were  to  be  found,  it  must 
be  either  not  within  the  sphere  of  his  acquaintance,  or,  if 
within  it,  not  subject  to  his  notice,  until  brought  before  him 
by  those  on  whom  it  lies  to  make  the  presentation :  and,  on 
any  other  principle,  he  would  be  in  the  double  character  of 
accuser  and  judge.  While,  therefore,  he  is  conscious  of  a 
readiness  to  exercise  the  authority  committed  to  him  by  our 
ecclesiastical  institutions,  he  finds  himself  warranted  and 
incited  by  his  subject,  to  make  a  call  on  tlie  consciences  of 
those  who  hear  him,  to  do  in  this  matter  what  lies  on  them 
in  their  respective  places;  to  do  it  as  a  measure  eminently 
conducive  to  the  honour  and  the  increase  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  as  removing  from  themselves  the  foul  reproach 
of  countenancing  iniquity  by  a  sinful  toleration  more  effec- 
tually than,  they  can  recommend,  by  any  other  means,  the 
practice  of  religious  and  moral  duty. 

The  obligation  now  stated  is  peculiarly  incumbent  on  our 
Church,  in  consideration  of  the  claim  made  by  her  (we 
trust  with  truth)  of  a  nearer  conformity  than  tliat  of  many 
odier  communities  of  christians,  to  the  practice  of  primi- 
tive antiquity,  particularly  in  res|x;ct  to  the  orders  of  the 
ministry.  These  orders,  say  we,  three  in  number,  were 
of  apostolic  institution,  and  existed  universally  in  the 
Church,  as  now  among  us,  until  within  a  few  ages  of  these 
later  times.  We  think  that  the  current  of  testimony  is  in 
pur  favour.  Still,  we  mu:>i  acknowledge,  that  there  has  been 
the  exercise  of  much  learning  and  ingenuity  on  the  other 
Jildei  and  that  the  generality  of  christians  are  not  possessed 
of  the  materials  of  knowledge  which  enter  into  the  merits 
of  tlic  question.      J  hey  have,  however,  sufficient  reason 


23 

to  believe,  on  the  testimony  of  all  who  write  or  speak  con- 
cerning the  early  ages  of  the  Church,  in  the  devotion,  the 
charity,  and  the- holy  lives  of  its  worthy  fathers:  and,  whHe 
this  is  the  case,  there  will  be  a  considerable  bias  to  the  sup- 
position, that  the  best  pretensions  to  antiquity  must  be  with 
those  who  have  the  most  of  the  purity  of  manners  by  which 
antiquity  was  adorned. 

Before  I  leave  this  part  of  my  subject,  I  will  venture  to 
rise  above  the  tone  of  argument  to  that  of  prediction, 
grounded  not  on  the  fancy  of  supernatural  communica- 
tion, but  on  observation  of  men  and  manners,  and  some 
small  knowledge  of  the  history  of  preceding  times.  We 
have  been  anticipating  the  future  progress  of  the  gospel,  as 
an  event  grounded  on  the  truth  of  God.  Now  my  predic- 
tion is,  that  whatever  may  be  the  extent  in  which  the  ex- 
pected progress  may  be  realized,  very  little  of  it  will  arise 
from  the  exertions  of  any  Church,  in  which  a  Minister  may 
be  a  by-word  for  his  immoralities,  without  being  driven 
from  the  administration  of  its  ordinances.  Instances  of  this 
sort  offend  in  such  a  degree,  that  the  Church  which  tole- 
rates them  will  constantly  behold  people  going  ofF  from  her 
communion;  some  to  infidelity,  and  others  to  any  sect  that 
has,  at  least,  an  apparent  sense  of  the  sanctity  of  its  profes- 
sion.— But  I  pass  from  doctrine  which  may  be  in  the  head, 
without  affecting  the  heart,  and  from  discipline  which  can 
extend  no  further  than  to  the  preventing  of  licentious  con- 
duct, to  the 

Third  and  last  branch  of  this  part  of  my  subject,  that  of 
morals:  I  mean  christian  morals;  comprehending  as  well 
the  graces  of  the  mind,  as  the  exercise  of  them  in  the  per- 
formance of  all  the  duties  of  practical  obligation. 

I  consider  myself  as  at  this  time  exhorting  to  an  holy  life 
and  conversation,  with  an  especial  view  to  the  subject.  I 
say  notliing,  therefore,  of  a  preparation  for  the  higli  demand, 
"  Give  an  account  of  your  stewardship."  I  do  not  bring 
forward  the  interest  which  we  have  in  the  apostolic  Intima- 


24 

rion,  of  "  saving  ourselves  as  well  as  those  who  hear  ui:'^ 
and  I  put  out  of  view  the  danger  of  being  found  among 
those  who,  having  prophesied,  that  is,  preached  in  their 
Master's  name,  shall  be  the  subjects  of  the  disdainful  rejec- 
tion— "  Depart  from  me,  I  never  knew  you."  AH  these 
things  shall  be  forgotten,  while  1  contemplate  the  effects  of 
our  labours  on  the  extension  of  the  Messiah's  kingdom, 
which  shall  at  last,  whether  with  our  instrumentality  or 
without  it,  know  no  bounds,  and  endure  for  ever. 

Can  any  one  doubt,  that  this  blessed  cause  is  hindered  by 
every  instance  of  a  profession  of  godliness,  without  its  be- 
ing accompanied  by  tlie  power?  Certainly  not:  for  so 
congenial  is  the  sense  of  religion  to  the  human  mind,  that 
men  can,  in  no  other  way,  wholly  discaid  its  obligations, 
tlian  by  persuading  themselves  that  there  are  no  practical 
uses  of  it  to  be  discerned.  They,  indeed,  are  apt  to  adopt  this 
opinion,  on  the  ground  of  very  imperfect  observation ;  not 
estimating  the  innumerable  occasions  on  which,  in  ways 
unseen,  religion  exercises  her  restraints;  and  the  many  others 
in  which,  in  like  ways,  she  administers  her  consolations. 
Yes,  they  judge  in  error;  but  it  is  prompted  and  confirmed 
in  them,  in  proportion  as  they  think  they  see  the  inefficiency 
of  this  blessed  governess,  towards  regulating  the  known  con-» 
duct  of  those  who  seem  to  be  the  best  informed  of  its  evi- 
dences, and  who  have  brought  themselves  under  the  weigh- 
tiest of  its  obligations. 

We  live  at  a  time  when  a  specious  but  unsound  philoso- 
phy has  made,  and  is  still  making,  havock  within  the  fold 
of  Christ's  flock;  and  the  consideration  of  this  alarming 
fact  ouglit  to  bring  a  charge  on  the  conscience,  not  to  say 
of  every  delinquent  professor,  but  of  every  one  who  docs 
not  evidence  in  his  actions  a  sense  of  religion  over  his  mind, 
of  being  accessary  to  that  murder  of  unwary  souls.  'J'he 
pen  of  inspiiation  has  intimated  a  period  when,  notwith- 
standing an  intervening  prevalence  of  the  gospel,  *'  .Satan 
*•  shall  be  let  loose  for  a  season."     1  presume  not  to  deter- 


25 

mine  the  date  of  the  especial  fulfihnent  of  tlie  prediction; 
but  it  has  been,  and  may  be  expected  to  be  again,  in  various 
degrees,  fulfilled  in  ditFerent  times  and  places,  by  extra- 
ordinary efforts  of  ungodly  men  against  the  truth.  Lee 
such  a  temporary  dominion  of  the  wicked  one  happen  when 
or  where  it  may,  it  will  be  marked  by  trophies  of  violence, 
of  desolation,  of  human  misery  of  every  description  and 
degree;  and,  therefore,  woe  be  to  those  who  become  con- 
tributors to  such  mischiefs,  in  contrariety  as  well  to  their 
inward  convictions,  as  to  the  testimony  of  their  professions. 

To  all  appearance,  these  States  are  designed  by  Provi- 
dence to  be  an  increasing,  and,  at  last,  an  immense  addi- 
tion to  the  population,  the  agriculture,  the  commerce,  and 
the  stock  of  useful  arts  throughout  the  world.  All  tliis 
will  be  dependent  on  our  laws,  on  our  policy,  and  on  the 
administration  of  them  botli.  But  will  these  again  have 
no  dependence  on  the  degree  of  influence  which  religion 
shall  exercise  alike  over  those  who  are  to  govern,  as  over 
those  who  are  to  obey  ?  Unquestionably  they  will ;  and, 
in  proportion  as  the  constitutions  of  our  country  disclaim 
that  agency  which  directly  applies  the  religious  principle 
to  the  promotion  of  its  purposes,  there  will  be  the  heavier 
obligation  on  religious  bodies  to  extend,  by  the  means  of 
their  exertions  in  their  collective  capacities,  and  by  their 
examples  as  individuals,  the  influence  of  this  only  efl^ectual 
restraint  on  the  injurious  passions  of  mankind.  This  opens 
before  us  a  prospect  in  which  we  cannot  but  perceive  an 
immense  field  "  already  white  to  harvest :"  a  rising  empire 
calling  for  religious  cultivation,  not  only  as  essential  to  the 
enjoyment  of  all  the  blessings  which  a  gracious  Providence 
has  bestowed;  but  to  check  that  prevalence  of  irreligion, 
which  will  otherwise  make  it,  in  future  times,  the  seat  of 
licentibusness,  of  civil  discord,  and,  perhaps,  of  barbarism. 

I  trust  that  considerations  of  this  sort  will  operate  as  a 
charge  on  those  of  my  audience,  whether  clerical  or  lay, 
who  are  at  this  time  assembled  to  exercise  the  ecclesiastical 


2G 

jurisdiction  of  our  Church.  Kor,shoukl  it  be  found  that  there 
is  in  their  conduct  any  deviation  from  good  morals;  and 
more  especially  should  they  be  known,  in  societies  of  ano- 
tlier  cast,  to  be  unbelievers  in  the  divine  authority  of  the 
religion,  the  concerns  of  which  they  have  undertaken  to 
administer,  it  cannot  hut  aflcct  the  reputation  of  any  coun- 
sels adopted  with  their  concurrence,  and  tend  to  load  us 
with  the  reproach  of  being  a  withered  branch  of  the  Uni- 
versal Church.  I'here  are  no  circumstances  of  civil  respec- 
tability which  can  atone  for  any  defect  of  moral  character, 
or  for  the  want  of  a  sense  of  religion  in  the  mind,  as  a 
qualification  for  the  wojk  before  us.  To  dispense  with 
tliese,  on  the  score  of  any  extraneous  considerations,  is  to 
*'  build  with  untcmpcred  mortar,"  and  has  as  little  chance 
of  being  resi>cctable  in  tlie  eye  of  the  world,  as  it  has  of 
claim  to  the  promise  of  the  divine  blessing. 

On  the  clerical  niembers  of  this  Convention  there  is  an 
especial  call  to  whatever  contributes  to  the  progress  of  the 
gospel.  Yes,  my  Rev.  Brethren,  you  will  consider  it  as 
falling  in  with  the  design  of  the  appointment  of  a  preacher, 
when  he  incites  both  himself  and  you  to  a  purity  suited  to 
the  work  which  we  have  in  hand.  Let  us,  therefore,  look 
forward  to  the  times  displayed  to  the  eye  of  faith  by  the 
sure  word  of  prophecy,  and  remark  how  much  may  be  de- 
pendent on  our  zeal,  our  charity,  our  temperance  in  re- 
gard to  this  workl,  and  our  transcendent  affection  for  ano- 
ther. Let  us  consider,  further,  tliat  besides  the  abundant 
liarvest,  to  the  contemplation  of  which  we  are  carried  by 
my  text,  and  by  similar  passages  of  scripture,  we  may  al- 
ways, in  a  lower  sense  of  the  expression,  "  behold  the  held 
**  already  white  to  harvest,"  in  the  multitude  of  persons 
who  may  be  brought  to  an  holy  life  and  convcisalion,  by 
our  instructions,  our  exhortations,  and  our  reproofs;  and  let 
lis  avail  oui  selves  of  the  blessed  opportunity  for  this,  while  it 
siiall  continue.  In  regard  to  the  business  brought  lx:forc  us 
on  this  occasion  of  oui  being  assembled,  let  die  recollection 


27 

of  the  tiiist  committed  to  us  prevent  every  word  and  every 
feeling  wliich  may  be  discordant  to  tlie  nature  of  religious 
inquiry  and  opinion.  Finally,  I  trust  that  it  is  not  an  undue 
partiality  to  the  apostolical  constitution  of  our  ministry,  to 
the  evangelical  tenour  of  our  doctrine,  and  to  the  edifying 
spirit  of  our  offices,  when  I  venture  confidently  to  predict, 
that,  let  them  be  adorned  by  the  correspondent  manners  of 
the  ministers,  and  of  the  members  generally,  of  our  Church, 
and  they  will  render  her  "  a  joy  and  praise  in  the  whole 
"  earth  ;"  securing  to  her  a  splendid  share  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  promise — "  From  the  rising  of  tlie  sun,  even 
"  unto  the  going  down  of  the  same,  my  name  shall  be  gieat 
"  among  the  Gentiles,  and  in  ev^cry  place  incense  shall  be 
"  offered  unto  my  name,  and  a  pure  offering." 

If  in  the  circumstances  which  I  have  stated,  and  if  in  the 
sentiments  which  have  arisen  from  them,  there  be  any  thing 
of  an  edifying  tendency,  it  will  doubtless  have  its  effect  on 
the  mind  of  the  Rev.  Person  to  the  consecration  of  whom 
we  shall  soon  proceed. 

My  Rev.  Brother  will  not  be  displeased  with  the  confes- 
sion, unconnected  with  his  personal  character,  that  in  en- 
tering on  the  administration  of  this  holy  rite,  I  experience 
sensations  of  a  painful  nature.  A  celebrated  Reman  has, 
in  a  pleasing  dress  of  eloquence,  displayed  the  sentiment, 
that  delegation  to  the  same  civil  office  is  a  ground  on  which 
benevolence  and  friendly  offices  may  be  expected.*  The 
remark  seems  reasonable:  and  if  so,  how  much  more  sa- 
cred is  a  relation  between  two  persons,  wlio,  under  the 
appointment  of  a  Christian  Church,  had  been  successfully 
engaged  together  in  obtaining  for  it  the  succession  to  the 
apostolic  office  of  the  Episcopacy;  who,  in  the  subsequent 
exercise  of  that  Episcopacy,  had  jointly  laboured  in  all  the 
ecclesiastical  business  which  has  occurred  among  us;  who, 
through  the  whole  of  it,  never  knew  a  word,  or  even  a 

*  Cicero  pro  Murxn^. 


2S 

sensation,  tending  to  personal  dissatisfacti^^n  or  disunion, 
and  who  had  lived,  during  the  time,  in  the  exchange  of  all 
the  friendly  civilities  which  the  circumstances  of  their  re- 
spective residence  permitted.  In  respect  to  such  persons, 
no  event  can  be  altogether  welcome  to  one  of  them,  under 
such  circumstances  as  now  occur  relative  to  the  other;* 
or  prevent  the  former  from  mourning  over  the  want  of 
health,  or  any  other  cause  that  has  lead  to  tlic  transaction 
of  this  day,  however  proper. 

I  the  more  confidently  give  vent  to  what  I  feel,  from  the 
belief,  that  there  arc  many  present  who  so  well  know  my 
affection  for  the  elected  Bishop,  and  my  opinion  of  his 
abilities,  of  his  integrity,  and  of  his  zeal,  as  to  screen  me 
from  the  imputation  of  indelicacy  towards  him.  I  have, 
indeed,  so  sanguine  an  expectation  of  his  future  usefulness, 
that  I  might  be  tempted  rather  confidently  to  foretell,  than 
earnestly  to  exhort  to  it,  were  it  not  for  the  consideration 
of  that  universal  insecurity  of  human  virtue  during  this 
state  of  frailty,  which  should  be  an  incitement  to  him,  to 
me,  and  to  the  whole  ministry,  to  live  under  the  influence 
of  a  caution,  which  even  an  Apostle  thought  applicable 
to  his  standing  in  the  Christian  life;  viz.  of  taking  care, 
*'  lest,  while  we  preach  to  others,  we  ourselves  should  be- 
**  come  cast  aways.'* 

Yes,  my  Brother,  this  is  a  danger  which  will  still  attend 
you,  notwithstanding  your  present  attainments,  your  past 
worthy  conduct  in  the  order  of  the  Presbytery,  and  the 
reputation  which  you  have  thus  acquired:  a  danger  to  which 
you  well  know  nothing  is  equal  but  the  grace  to  be  invoked 
on  your  behalf  in  the  ensuing  service  ;  which  may  be  pro- 
nounced to  be  as  instructive,  as  solemn,  and  as  aflecting 
a  dis|)lay,  as  human  ingenuity  can  devise,  of  the  duties  on 


•  Rl^hop  Provoost,  wlio  was  induced,  by  ill  health,  aiul  other  causes, 
to  resign  his  Episcopal  Jurisdiction  of  the  Prottstaiit  F-piscopal  Church 
in  the  State  of  Ncw-Yorlc 


29 


which  you  are  entering.  It  will,  therefore,  be  sufficient  to 
remind  you,  tliat  the  Church  need  have  no  better  security 
for  your  faithful  discharge  of  the  trust  which,  by  our  hands, 
she  is  committing  to  you,  than  your  keeping  always  be- 
fore you  the  engagements  which  she  exacts  of  you  at  this 
solemn  crisis,  as  what  should  have  an  abiding  weight  on 
your  conscience,  and  be  a  continual  incitement  of  your  best 
faculties  and  affections. 


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